Although construction of Newcastle Gaol was completed in 1828 the first execution to take place there was not until 1850. This is remarkably late in comparison to many other major towns and cities in England - executions in London moved from the open land of Tyburn to the exterior walls of Newgate Prison in 1783. Even in the North East Newcastle’s transition was relatively late with York moving to Castle executions in 1801 and Durham to executions on the external wall of the Court House that adjoined the prison in 1816. So why was Newcastle so late to make this adjustment?
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